NBC’s Hannibal famously cast star Hugh Dancy before the title role (seriously, the initial poster art is hysterical), but it’s hard to imagine anyone but Mads Mikkelsen filling the role previously occupied by the likes of Anthony Hopkins and Brian Cox. Tennant was apparently in the mix, however, as the actor tells Entertainment Weekly he and creator Bryan Fuller at least discussed the possibility:

I met [Hannibal executive producer] Bryan Fuller a couple of times, and we talked about it. But I think they quite wisely chose Mads Mikkelsen, I think he was a perfect choice for it, and I think he did things with that character that I wouldn’t have managed, so I think the right man got the job.

For what it’s worth, Tennant has taken on villainous roles before Jessica Jones, including a memorably deranged part in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Mikkelsen has leaned toward nefarious parts in his work as well, but certainly Hannibal helped put him on the map for such high-profile work in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Doctor Strange and more.